ATLANTA – It felt like a full-circle moment for Justin Thomas Tuesday at East Lake Golf Club.
In 2017, Thomas won the FedExCup but finished second to Xander Schauffele at the Tour Championship, an anomaly that — at least in part — prompted the PGA Tour to introduce a starting-strokes format for the finale.
As part of an overhaul of the Tour Championship this year, the Tour ended starting strokes, which gave the post-season points leaders incremental leads heading into the final playoff event.
It was telling that when asked his favorite memory from East Lake, Thomas didn’t pick winning the season-long title in 2017. Instead, it was a predictable exchange with Tiger Woods in 2020, the year after Woods had won the Tour Championship for his 80th Tour title.
“Probably my best memory, it would have been 2020. I remember playing here, playing a practice round and walking down 18 and FaceTiming Tiger and, because he wasn’t here and didn’t qualify, just showing him how the course was and how great it was, and then he acted like his phone cut out and then he called me back two minutes later with [the Masters] green jacket on,” Thomas laughed.
“I remember that very, very, very vividly. Just a typical conversation of thinking I am having some kind of upper edge, and I get shut down and put in my place pretty quickly.”
Change is coming. I can see the US holding a 4 month portion of a world tour that gets the best against the best. The rest of the year is for the players who didn't make the top having a chance to play in. LIV talk is non existent which can mean that a deal is close. The new commish has no preconceived notions
The US tour by moving the PGA to May has basically become January thru June anyway. Then across the pond to the Open. They could stay and do the Euro portion of the tour
The FredEx Cup is more of an anchor than a gem anyway. Saudi money can fill the gap. August is not the time to play in Memphis and the like
I watched the highlights of the 2018 Tour championship last night and came away thinking that Tiger at a broken and battered 40 something was still the best player on the field
It started in Florida in 2018 when it became apparent that this comeback had legs (lol). He took the lead on the back nine Sunday at the Open only to double and give it away to Molanari. He battled Koepka at the PGA in an under rated classic.
Then he won the Tour Championship with Rory in the last group with him.
In the 2019 Masters it was Molanari and Koepka who backed down as Tiger got his 5th green jacket. He was still the best in the world
His driving would let him down. Oak tree you're in my way
Our now weekly episode of Can Tommy Do It? He obviously has what it takes to win but until he proves that he can putt on Sunday Bloody Sunday he is suspect. One thing is certain he will break US hearts at the Ryder Cup
Watch out for Bradley and Cantlay will take that 10 million with no remorse given the chance
Even for these guys 10 million is enough to choke over.
Comments
The tour doesn’t own any of the majors, that’s why.
2000 points for a playoff win
ATLANTA – It felt like a full-circle moment for Justin Thomas Tuesday at East Lake Golf Club.
In 2017, Thomas won the FedExCup but finished second to Xander Schauffele at the Tour Championship, an anomaly that — at least in part — prompted the PGA Tour to introduce a starting-strokes format for the finale.
As part of an overhaul of the Tour Championship this year, the Tour ended starting strokes, which gave the post-season points leaders incremental leads heading into the final playoff event.
It was telling that when asked his favorite memory from East Lake, Thomas didn’t pick winning the season-long title in 2017. Instead, it was a predictable exchange with Tiger Woods in 2020, the year after Woods had won the Tour Championship for his 80th Tour title.
“Probably my best memory, it would have been 2020. I remember playing here, playing a practice round and walking down 18 and FaceTiming Tiger and, because he wasn’t here and didn’t qualify, just showing him how the course was and how great it was, and then he acted like his phone cut out and then he called me back two minutes later with [the Masters] green jacket on,” Thomas laughed.
“I remember that very, very, very vividly. Just a typical conversation of thinking I am having some kind of upper edge, and I get shut down and put in my place pretty quickly.”
There’s talk of Eastlake not being a permanent site for this thing and instead rotate like 6 or 7 major cities. That would be fantastic if true.
Yeah the founder died. I was hoping this would happen
How about the west coast? Prime time golf
Guessing it’ll be NY, Philly, Boston, Chicago with an occasional Bay Area thrown in. Still way better than Eastlake.
Change is coming. I can see the US holding a 4 month portion of a world tour that gets the best against the best. The rest of the year is for the players who didn't make the top having a chance to play in. LIV talk is non existent which can mean that a deal is close. The new commish has no preconceived notions
The US tour by moving the PGA to May has basically become January thru June anyway. Then across the pond to the Open. They could stay and do the Euro portion of the tour
The FredEx Cup is more of an anchor than a gem anyway. Saudi money can fill the gap. August is not the time to play in Memphis and the like
Lift clean and place at the Tour Championship today. All avoidable by playing this on the west coast every year.
Seems like every tournament this summer has been wet and soft.
New slogan for the LPGA!
I watched the highlights of the 2018 Tour championship last night and came away thinking that Tiger at a broken and battered 40 something was still the best player on the field
It started in Florida in 2018 when it became apparent that this comeback had legs (lol). He took the lead on the back nine Sunday at the Open only to double and give it away to Molanari. He battled Koepka at the PGA in an under rated classic.
Then he won the Tour Championship with Rory in the last group with him.
In the 2019 Masters it was Molanari and Koepka who backed down as Tiger got his 5th green jacket. He was still the best in the world
His driving would let him down. Oak tree you're in my way
KING 5 showing the Hawks exhibition game instead of the third round. Sadly most viewers would agree
Our now weekly episode of Can Tommy Do It? He obviously has what it takes to win but until he proves that he can putt on Sunday Bloody Sunday he is suspect. One thing is certain he will break US hearts at the Ryder Cup
Watch out for Bradley and Cantlay will take that 10 million with no remorse given the chance
Even for these guys 10 million is enough to choke over.
Good for Tommy. It’s hard not to root for that guy. Happy to see him finally break through. Fuck him at Bethpage tho. I hope he gets the yips.